Les Fisher
Encyclopedia
Air Marshal
Leslie Bruce "Les" Fisher AO
(born 16 June 1941) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force
, serving as its Chief from November 1994 until May 1998.
In 1976 he was posted on exchange duty with the United States Navy
at Moffett Field, California as the Plans and Readiness Officer for Commander, Patrol Wings Pacific. For his achievements in the post, he received a letter of Commendation from the United States Secretary of the Navy
.
From 1982 until 1986 Fisher served as the Director Joint Planning at the Australian Defence Force Headquarters before being appointed Commander Tactical Transport Group in 1987.
In recognition of service to the RAAF as Officer Commanding RAAF Base Townsville
, Fisher was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 1988.
Fisher returned to RAAF Base Edinburgh
in 1987 as Commander Maritime Patrol Group, and then served as the Commandant Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre between 1990 and 1991. In 1992 he was promoted to the role of Assistant Chief, Defence Force for Operations. Fisher was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1993 Queens Birthday Honours List, in recognition of service to the RAAF and the ADF.
In 1993 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
and then promoted to Air Marshal in 1994 on appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). Fisher headed the RAAF from 1994 to 1998, served as the last CAS and the first Chief of Air Force (CAF), the change of name occurring in February 1997. Fisher instituted a policy requiring staff to meet minimum physical fitness standards to remain in the service, for the first time in Air Force history. He held the position during a period of significant restructuring until his retirement in 1998. He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit
during his time commanding the RAAF.
from 2004, remaining on as Deputy Chairman until 2009.
Fisher and Sir Laurence Street
reviewed the reformed military justice system following implementation of the 2005 Senate Committee Report into the Effectiveness of Australia's Military Justice System.
Fisher now consults to the aviation industry and government and has been the Chairman of Aerospace Australia since 2002. He is a member of the CAE Australia Advisory Board; a board member of the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Foundation and the Defence South Australia Advisory Board.
Air Marshal
Air marshal is a three-star air-officer rank which originated in and continues to be used by the Royal Air Force...
Leslie Bruce "Les" Fisher AO
Order of Australia
The Order of Australia is an order of chivalry established on 14 February 1975 by Elizabeth II, Queen of Australia, "for the purpose of according recognition to Australian citizens and other persons for achievement or for meritorious service"...
(born 16 June 1941) is a retired senior officer of the Royal Australian Air Force
Royal Australian Air Force
The Royal Australian Air Force is the air force branch of the Australian Defence Force. The RAAF was formed in March 1921. It continues the traditions of the Australian Flying Corps , which was formed on 22 October 1912. The RAAF has taken part in many of the 20th century's major conflicts...
, serving as its Chief from November 1994 until May 1998.
Service career
Fisher joined the RAAF in January 1960 and completed navigator training in 1961. Later qualifing as a pilot in 1965, he accumulated more than 5000 hours over four operational flying tours in maritime patrol squadrons.In 1976 he was posted on exchange duty with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
at Moffett Field, California as the Plans and Readiness Officer for Commander, Patrol Wings Pacific. For his achievements in the post, he received a letter of Commendation from the United States Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
.
From 1982 until 1986 Fisher served as the Director Joint Planning at the Australian Defence Force Headquarters before being appointed Commander Tactical Transport Group in 1987.
In recognition of service to the RAAF as Officer Commanding RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Townsville
RAAF Base Townsville is, along with RAAF Base Tindal and RAAF Base Darwin, one of northern Australia's primary defence installations. It is also Headquarters for No...
, Fisher was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia on Australia Day 1988.
Fisher returned to RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh
RAAF Base Edinburgh is located in Edinburgh, 25km north of the centre of Adelaide.It is primarily home to No 92 Wing's AP-3C Orion maritime patrol aircraft that conduct surveillance operations throughout Australia's airspace....
in 1987 as Commander Maritime Patrol Group, and then served as the Commandant Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre between 1990 and 1991. In 1992 he was promoted to the role of Assistant Chief, Defence Force for Operations. Fisher was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 1993 Queens Birthday Honours List, in recognition of service to the RAAF and the ADF.
In 1993 he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
Deputy Chief of Air Force (Australia)
Deputy Chief of Air Force is the second most senior appointment in the Royal Australian Air Force, responsible to the Chief of Air Force . The rank associated with the position is Air Vice Marshal . DCAF acts as the manager of the Air Force Headquarters , which provides oversight of activities in...
and then promoted to Air Marshal in 1994 on appointment as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS). Fisher headed the RAAF from 1994 to 1998, served as the last CAS and the first Chief of Air Force (CAF), the change of name occurring in February 1997. Fisher instituted a policy requiring staff to meet minimum physical fitness standards to remain in the service, for the first time in Air Force history. He held the position during a period of significant restructuring until his retirement in 1998. He was awarded the United States Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
during his time commanding the RAAF.
Later career
Fisher served as the Acting Chairman Airservices AustraliaAirservices Australia
Airservices Australia is an Australian Government agency, responsible for providing safe and environmentally sound air traffic control management and related airside services to the aviation industry within the Australian Flight Information Region...
from 2004, remaining on as Deputy Chairman until 2009.
Fisher and Sir Laurence Street
Laurence Street
Sir Laurence Whistler Street AC, KCMG, QC is an Australian jurist and former Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.-Family:...
reviewed the reformed military justice system following implementation of the 2005 Senate Committee Report into the Effectiveness of Australia's Military Justice System.
Fisher now consults to the aviation industry and government and has been the Chairman of Aerospace Australia since 2002. He is a member of the CAE Australia Advisory Board; a board member of the Aerospace, Maritime and Defence Foundation and the Defence South Australia Advisory Board.